Always on the third Sunday after Whitsun, the Sacred Heart Fires light up the sky, also in the Val Pusteria valley
Image gallery: Sacred Heart Fires
As in all parts of Tyrol, the Sacred Heart of Jesus Feast is celebrated in the Val Pusteria valley three Sundays after Whitsun. On this day, the Sacred Heart pledge of 1796 is remembered. In view of the danger posed by Napoleon's troops, the land was entrusted to the "Sacred Heart of Jesus". But when Andreas Hofer, one of South Tyrol's most famous freedom fighters, surprisingly won the Berg-Isel battle for himself and his fatherland, he renewed the pledge... and he vowed to do this every year anew.
Signs of this are still today the mountain fires that are lit on this special Sunday and illuminate the sky above South Tyrol. High on the peaks of the mountains, on the alpine pastures, on the gentle hills or even on small cliffs you can watch numerous fires on this evening after dark. You will also recognize different forms, such as hearts, the Tyrolean eagle, crosses and writings. Tyrolean folk songs are also sung on this evening and often the bands give concerts, followed by a torchlight procession.
On this special evening there is a unique atmosphere in the Val Pusteria valley!
